Since being selected 8th overall in the 2020 draft, Isaiah Simmons has been used all over the field. He was primarily used as an Inside Linebacker in the 2021 season, with almost 600 snaps coming from that spot. He split an additional 400 snaps between Edge Rusher and Cornerback. Where he spent the least amount of time, however, was at Safety, where he lined up for only two plays. While most expected him to be half of a Middle Linebacker duo with 2nd-year player Zaven Collins, the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff is apparently looking to try something else.
What will Isaiah Simmons new role be for 2022?
According to Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph, Isaiah Simmons will be used as a “STAR” – a Linebacker/Safety/Dime Cornerback hybrid. Through OTAs and training camp, Simmons has spent a significant amount of practice time with the Safety position group group, which Cardinals fans know is already one of the strongest positions on the entire team. Fortunately, being asked to try something different is not foreign to Simmons. In his final season at Clemson, Simmons played the vast majority of his snaps at the Safety position. He also spent a significant amount of time lining up as a Slot Corner during that season. Additionally, it is worth noting that he played almost no snaps as a traditional Inside Linebacker that year. He has experience playing everywhere and has spent plenty of time at all three “STAR” positions throughout his career.
Is this the right move to maximize Simmons?
While it may be exciting for Cardinals fans to remember what Simmons was able to do in college with an absence of a clearly defined positional role, it’s important to consider if it’s the right choice for him in 2022. Simmons’ first two seasons in the league left more than a few Cardinals fans disappointed. His athleticism and size should lead to a full stat sheet every game, but that is not always the case. However, it may be the case that he hasn’t been utilized correctly yet. As most fans would agree, Simmons’ versatility was his most attractive trait as a prospect. However, he has yet to be used with the flexibility that Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables showed at Clemson. With the advent of Joseph’s “STAR”, Simmons may have finally found the position that suits him best – no particular position at all.